FYI: I do not currently home school because it is not needed at this time. We have an amazing small school we utilize and a teacher I wouldn't trade for anything.
We are very blessed!
I keep this information handy in case I need it one day. I have felt led to homeschool for a long time and always have the information on stand by for the day we finally take the plunge!
Update: As of 1/1/2023, we will be homeschooling a high schooler. Prayers are appreciated!
I have a lot of links saved from previous research on home schooling. I am saving them here because I often get friends asking me where to start and it'd be handy to toss a link!
I saved this meme when I first started researching things.
Hey...it's true! Look around. It's a hot mess, y'all. Anyways!
The first thing you are going to want to do is look up your state's laws on home schooling. For example, mine is Georgia.
Georgia is pretty relaxed! But I would still document anything and everything just to play it safe. The main thing is to submit your declaration of intent.
Everything else, take a deep breath; I'm sure things will start falling into place in no time. Don't be in a hurry or feel overwhelmed with everything you'll see in the links below.
Get you a notebook and start taking some notes.
Georgia Homeschool Law At a Glance <-- Tons of info on this whole site!
Every question you can think of is probably on here. I mean that. Click around. Take notes.
Remember, you don't have to know it all at once.
The most important thing is to first pray about the decision and if it's a 'yes', pull your child from school and get that declaration of intent submitted on the GDOE website.
The next thing I would do is join some groups on social media. Ask any questions you have there! So many moms, dads, and educators are ready to help. Find out where you find social gatherings, too. Home school families know getting out and being social is important.
Here are a few that I found:
It also provides LEGAL ADVICE and REPRESENTATION if it's needed. That's a nice security blanket if you ask me.
One of my first thoughts years ago when I was considering home school was, "What does school look like from home?!?!"
What I began to notice from other home school families is every single family does things differently. These two photos look like something I'd love to do. I had planned to put a dry erase board right behind the dining room table in the kitchen and keep it simple.
So don't sweat those details. There is no "one way"....just do what's best for your family. Having a nice, quiet space to work is truly what's most important.
And for the love of all that is holy, don't get on Pinterest or a mom group and look at their perfect photos and think you have to do that.
I was feeling inadequate in no time, haha.
This is something I saved when I was researching. There are so many options available!
Be encouraged if your family is led to home school.
High School Diploma
That is something between you and your family.
Many home school families are successful without one. Many families choose an accredited curriculum in which a high school diploma is obtained. A high school diploma is not out of reach for home school families.
I know with Abeka, they have a whole graduation ceremony and everything. They get to walk across a stage and receive their diploma.
That's it for now! If I think of anything else, I will throw it down into the comments. So be sure to check there every now and then.
